Progressio partner FEDOMU (Federacion Dominicana de Municipios) has drawn on its successful work to mainstream gender in local government policy and practice to publish a guide for national use.
The tool, which encourages greater consideration of gender issues and equality within development planning and programmes, was launched at a ceremony attended by key figures from government, representatives from the World Bank, and Progressio’s sub-regional manager, Nicolo Schiaparelli.
FEDOMU’s work, supported by Progressio and Fundación Solidaridad, has highlighted that democracy and good governance cannot be achieved without greater awareness of gender equality and the participation of women in meeting their needs and addressing their concerns.
Félix Rodríguez, President of FEDOMU, explained that addressing gender issues at municipal level is most urgent, as local action tends to prove more effective at addressing key issues and achieving greater representation of civil society.
It is hoped that the guide will provide basic training for civil society organisations and local authorities, encouraging the mainstreaming of gender in municipal management and institutions that provide services to local constituents. It is also anticipated that transparency and responsibility within these bodies will also increase.
At the launch, the Dominican vice-minister for women, Providencia Matos, highlighted the importance of addressing the disparity in equality between women and men: “The creation of this manual is well-timed in terms of providing a fundamental instrument to help local governments implement public policy with a gender focus.”
Above: An illustration from the guide.
Guía Metodológica Género y Gobernabilidad Municipal, República Dominicana is published by FEDOMU in collaboration with Progressio, Fundación Solidaridad, and the World Bank.
Download a PDF of the guide (in Spanish) from the website of the Association of Municipalities of the Cibao Norte Region, http://www.asomurecin.org/
